Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D (Dynax 5D) review

I bought this camera the end of December. I had been saving for a year and a half while reading everything I could get my hands on about DSLRs. I chose this one because I liked the design, the anti-shake feature, the good quality at high ISO, and the confidence that I had in Minolta from the purchase of an X-700 twenty-two years ago. I also purchased a Tamron 28-300 zoom lens.

Good things: the anti-shake, and the design that allows quick access to settings - the high ISO that can stop basketball action in a gymnasium.

Problems:

I used it for a wedding, and all the wide angle shots - groups, church interior- were soft or just downright out-of-focus. Zoom-ins were great. Later I changed the focus settings, and the pictures were slightly better, but still not the quality one would expect. Even using manual focus, I can't seem to get a decent, sharp group shot. Frustrating! I don't know if this is normal, or something wrong with the camera.
In addition to the wide-angle focus problems, about two and a half months after I bought it (and really looking forward to spring so I could play with it outside in bright spring sunlight), it broke. I had taken the memory card out and slid it into my computer slot to download the photos, then when I tried to put it back in the camera, the memory card eject button wouldn't stay down so I could close the card door. Closing the door pushed the button down and ejected the card. Pushing the card back in pushed the button back up. I took it to a camera repair shop and they said it was broken and I would need to send it in to the manufacturer. Need I say more? Here I sit in Spring with wildlife and nature bursting all around me and no camera, except for my old faithful Nikon 5700. What's more, the day after I took it in to the place where I bought it so they could send it in the the Minolta repair place, the guy at the shop calls back and says Minolta sold their camera division to Sony, so he would have to wait two weeks and then send the camera to Sony for repair instead.
I have no idea when my camera will come back to me. Although I was told 4 to 6 weeks, I wouldn't be surprised it it's 8 or 10 weeks.
If I had it to do over again, I might choose the Nikon D70, D50 or the Canon Rebel instead.

Update: Now it's summer. I have my camera back from the shop (six weeks) and am enjoying using it.
The card eject has been repaired, but I don't take it out any more; I use the cord to download my shots. They recalibrated the focus, BUT group shots are still very soft and not suitable for enlargements. (I use my Nikon 5700 for group shots.) This is a serious flaw in this camera. I see others are having the same problem.
On the otherhand, I get excellent shots zooming in in low light - very good for wedding ceremonies when you are in the back of the sanctuary and can't use a flash. Good for nature shots, too.

I will say that this camera has the BEST ease of use design of any camera I have ever seen.

UPDATE: July 19, 2006
Well, the camera is broken AGAIN! Same exact problem as before - I opened the memory card door to attach the cord to download my shots to the computer, and now the button won't go down so I can shut the door witour popping the card up.
I am furious. There is only six weeks of summer left and I have to pay another $25 and be without it for six more weeks. I regret this purchase.
DON'T BUY IT!!!